Snorkel Day - water shoes OK instead of flippers?

[sevenofeleven]

The flipper fins always make me lose my balance 'walking' into the water to the snorkel reef. Are water shoes allowed?

Thank you

 

[kcashner]

If you wish....

 

[travisx4]

You do not have to use the fins but they will allow you to cover so much more ground (um water). The further out that you snorkle the more fish you will encounter.

 

[truck1]

If you are having a problem walking foward with the fins on, try walking backwards, and look over your shoulder, until you are in water deep enough to swim.If not, walk in to the water with out the fins on, then put them on when you are in say waist deep water.

 

[TraciM]

I know this is OT but has anyone found a solution for those who have a medical reason that make flipper use difficult. I have problems with my legs and feet. The swimming is fine but flippers present a problem. This past time caused some issues. I love to snorkel on vacation and was wondering what my options were.

 

[truck1]

It depends on the type of issue that a person would have. Theres at least 2 different types of fins made.Closed heel,(looks like a slipper) which is what Disney and the majority of snorkel operators out there have, and open heel which has a strap to hold the fin to your foot.

If the issue is cramping, or or chronic fatique, this can usually be solved by the way that you fin.

If theres an issue where a person cant tolerate something on their feet, due to say chronic swelling, there is a fin that can be placed on you hands that is pretty effective.

If you cant or dont want the rest of the world to know that condition shoot me a pm and Ill see what is available.Or post the details so when I go to my local dive shop this week,to pick up my tanks, I can ask.

 

[Anal Annie]

The flipper fins always make me lose my balance 'walking' into the water to the snorkel reef. Are water shoes allowed?

Thank you

Water shoes only protect your feet when you are walking - they will do nothing for you while swimming. The point of the fins are to help you swim without fatigue. They're not intended for walking. Don't put them on until you're IN the water - about up to your knees. Then walk backwards a few steps until it's deep enough to start swimming. As soon as you reach that point in the depth turn around & start swimming.

 

[wld4mky]

I think if you are a good swimmer water shoes are fine. We brought our own snorkle gear but left the flippers at home .DH had no trouble in bare feet.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

I know this is OT but has anyone found a solution for those who have a medical reason that make flipper use difficult. I have problems with my legs and feet. The swimming is fine but flippers present a problem. This past time caused some issues. I love to snorkel on vacation and was wondering what my options were.

If the problem is fatigue, a good alternative is split fins. Standard fins only push water in one direction, while split fins push in both directions, which cuts the effort in half.

If the problem is the fit of the boot, you can try an open heel fin, or a larger fin with a water shoe inside. Have them fit you for your fins with the watershoes on, then if your feet swell while in the water, you can remove the watershoes and get more room in the boot.

Better yet, go to a local dive ship and have a pair professionally fitted to your foot.

BTW, you can also get prescription snorkling masks

 

[justmestace]

Water shoes only protect your feet when you are walking - they will do nothing for you while swimming. The point of the fins are to help you swim without fatigue. They're not intended for walking. Don't put them on until you're IN the water - about up to your knees. Then walk backwards a few steps until it's deep enough to start swimming. As soon as you reach that point in the depth turn around & start swimming.

I'm going to second this. When I snorkel from the beach, I never put my fins on until I get into the water. A) It's hard to walk in them B) Walking in them increases the chance that you'll tear the fin and C) When you walk on sand in them, you get sand in the boot and it rubs your feet raw (or it could)
I go in far enough that I can sit in the sand/water and be waist deep while sitting. Put the fins on and then just swim forward. There aren't too many waves in DCL's snorkel area, so you shouldn't have any trouble doing it.
Or if you have someone to hold the fins for you, you can do it one foot at a time, standing up.

You CAN snorkel in calm water without fins, but your legs will get sore and a lot more tired.

 

[TraciM]

It depends on the type of issue that a person would have. Theres at least 2 different types of fins made.Closed heel,(looks like a slipper) which is what Disney and the majority of snorkel operators out there have, and open heel which has a strap to hold the fin to your foot.

If the issue is cramping, or or chronic fatique, this can usually be solved by the way that you fin.

If theres an issue where a person cant tolerate something on their feet, due to say chronic swelling, there is a fin that can be placed on you hands that is pretty effective.

If you cant or dont want the rest of the world to know that condition shoot me a pm and Ill see what is available.Or post the details so when I go to my local dive shop this week,to pick up my tanks, I can ask.

I am fine with mentioning the issue. I am a diabetic and I have severe neuropathy in my feet. Normally I wear medical shoes but do like to snorkel when on vacation. The last few times I had the people I was with tell me they were starting to feel rubbing and I checked immediately and noticed the starting of a blister and was able to correct it before it got bad. This last time we went Snorkeling at Grand Cayman and CC. I purchased booties before my trip to wear as socks. The last night of our cruise I noticed my nail polish on my one big toe looked funny. Sure enough underneath was a purple nail. I had open toe shoes (and did not notice anything else)so the only thing that makes sense is the fins. A few weeks ago the nail came off. I am no stranger to loosing toe nails but I hate the thought of not being able to do something I like. I never was aware of the hand fins. That’s worth looking into.

 

[truck1]

My fiance is a diabetic also, though she hasnt had that problem.She dives with me with no issues.Her issues are more due to mobility in her ankles from breaking both, less than a year apart.

My first instict, is that the fins you are getting dont fit properly on your feet, which is causing the blister.Or the rubber, is hard enough from drying out and causing an issue.Depends on where the blister is forming.Not sure on the big toe.Instinct, as an EMT says you kicked something at somepoint and didnt realize it.Ive done it a few times diving the wrecks in Key Largo.
What kind of booties did you get?Did you get the sock type that are fairly thin. or did you get the boot type that are 3 mm or better? A thicker boot may help you.

I have to go fri and pick up my tanks and reg I have in for service, and Ill ask the owner, and let you know what he suggests.
Ill lok for the link to the hand fins also, but if your using the charter ops, you might want to invest in a decent pair of fins, that are either open heel or fitted to your feet.

 

[justmestace]

I am fine with mentioning the issue. I am a diabetic and I have severe neuropathy in my feet. Normally I wear medical shoes but do like to snorkel when on vacation. The last few times I had the people I was with tell me they were starting to feel rubbing and I checked immediately and noticed the starting of a blister and was able to correct it before it got bad. This last time we went Snorkeling at Grand Cayman and CC. I purchased booties before my trip to wear as socks. The last night of our cruise I noticed my nail polish on my one big toe looked funny. Sure enough underneath was a purple nail. I had open toe shoes (and did not notice anything else)so the only thing that makes sense is the fins. A few weeks ago the nail came off. I am no stranger to loosing toe nails but I hate the thought of not being able to do something I like. I never was aware of the hand fins. That’s worth looking into.

I now use the thin nylon snorkel socks inside my fins, but I always used to just wear plain white socks. I have really touchy feet, too. Not diabetic, but touchy and blister easily. Once I started wearing socks rather than being barefoot, I haven't had a problem. But I will admit that the old white socks protected my feet better than the snorkel socks, but vanity is my middle name. I may have to just give it up and go back to the regular socks though.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

While is can make for a packing pain, you can bring your own fins, or any of your own snorkle equipment.

We've always brought our own gear, that way important pieces (like flippers and mask) we KNOW is sized right, and for things like the snorkle vests, we know where the valve stems have been.

 

[TraciM]

My fiance is a diabetic also, though she hasnt had that problem.She dives with me with no issues.Her issues are more due to mobility in her ankles from breaking both, less than a year apart.

My first instict, is that the fins you are getting dont fit properly on your feet, which is causing the blister.Or the rubber, is hard enough from drying out and causing an issue.Depends on where the blister is forming.Not sure on the big toe.Instinct, as an EMT says you kicked something at somepoint and didnt realize it.Ive done it a few times diving the wrecks in Key Largo.
What kind of booties did you get?Did you get the sock type that are fairly thin. or did you get the boot type that are 3 mm or better? A thicker boot may help you.

I have to go fri and pick up my tanks and reg I have in for service, and Ill ask the owner, and let you know what he suggests.
Ill lok for the link to the hand fins also, but if your using the charter ops, you might want to invest in a decent pair of fins, that are either open heel or fitted to your feet.

After a length talk with my Dr and several instances with the same thing happening we have determined the shoe pressing my toe and my not feeling it caused the problem. This same thing has happened with regular shoes as well as fins. Totally OT but last year I broke my foot and we still can’t figure that one out.LOL I used the nylon socks purchased at a dive shop and they did help with blisters. I have no problem getting my own gear and spending whatever need on them. My shoes are medical and cost me a small fortune so I am use to it. Thank God for medical insurance. I am more concerned if there are options for me. I do have limitations and don’t want to totally give up everything. I am only 37 and way to young to crawl up in a ball and stop doing stuff.

 

[cntkg1]

I don't care for the flippers either so I tried snorkeling in my water shoes instead during an excursion in Cozumel. The tour guide would NOT allow me to snorkel with my shoes. I either had to wear the fins or sit out. I wore the fins....

 

[dwtraveler]

My DH is a type 1 diabetic and we love to snorkel! We always bring our own equipment so we know what will work. Never used the rented stuff but know that proper fitting is so important. This isn't the olympics so relax and do what is best for you, no-one will care what you wear, they will only see the smile on your face if you are having fun. Talking here about CC not the snorkling excursions, not sure of their rules. Like I said, we bring our own equipment and know what works for us. We make room to pack it because it is important to us.

 

[truck1]

After a length talk with my Dr and several instances with the same thing happening we have determined the shoe pressing my toe and my not feeling it caused the problem. This same thing has happened with regular shoes as well as fins. Totally OT but last year I broke my foot and we still can’t figure that one out.LOL I used the nylon socks purchased at a dive shop and they did help with blisters. I have no problem getting my own gear and spending whatever need on them. My shoes are medical and cost me a small fortune so I am use to it. Thank God for medical insurance. I am more concerned if there are options for me. I do have limitations and don’t want to totally give up everything. I am only 37 and way to young to crawl up in a ball and stop doing stuff.

Talked to one of my favorite LDS owners today.Had to wait for him to come back from vacation.

The best thing he could suggest, would be to go to your LDS (Local Dive Shop) and be fitted for fins, and to also get a pair of dive boots.The dive boots are thicker than the socks, and have either a soft or a hard sole and will offer more protection from blisters.They come a little bit higher than your ankle.

Heres 1 hand paddle I found.

Heres a list from Google.I didnt realize there were so many.

 

[TraciM]

Talked to one of my favorite LDS owners today.Had to wait for him to come back from vacation.

The best thing he could suggest, would be to go to your LDS (Local Dive Shop) and be fitted for fins, and to also get a pair of dive boots.The dive boots are thicker than the socks, and have either a soft or a hard sole and will offer more protection from blisters.They come a little bit higher than your ankle.

Heres 1 hand paddle I found.

Heres a list from Google.I didnt realize there were so many.

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[truck1]

Your welcome. Let me know how it works out.